Our Need for Contentment

March 6

Admit it, now ….

• When have you recently had too much of a good thing?

• We are too soon full and too late satisfied (if at all) with some of these things.– Today we look at how to find true satisfaction– Jesus is the Bread of Life

Listen for why people followed Jesus

John 6:26-27 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not

because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the

Father has placed his seal of approval."

Looking for a Meal

• Why did the crowd seek Jesus? • Jesus implied that the people’s motives were

selfish. What things do we sometimes selfishly seek from Jesus?

• How do people today attempt to satisfy their need to feel secure and significant in life?

• Why do you think people seek satisfaction in things that don’t last?

Looking for a Meal

• What did Jesus say the Son of Man would give to these people?

• What kinds of things do you think Jesus meant when he said “food that endures to eternal life”?

• How can we work for “food that endures to eternal life”?

Listen for how Jesus satisfies.

John 6:35-37 (NIV) Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever

comes to me I will never drive away.

Bread of Life

• What did Jesus say would be the results of coming to Him?

• What does this " I Am" statement teach us about Jesus' nature and character?

• Today we have “quick energy drinks” and crave a “candy-bar fix” when our energy gets low. What kinds of quick fixes do we sometimes want from Jesus?

Bread of Life

• How does Jesus being the “bread of life” go beyond the “energy drink” pick-me-up?

• What did Jesus say He would never do to those who came to Him?

• What do you think would be conditions for Jesus not to drive someone away?

Listen for what is God’s will.John 6:38-40 (NIV) For I have come down

from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the

will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise

them up at the last day. 40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life,

and I will raise him up at the last day."

Doing God’s Will

• According to this passage, why did Jesus come down from heaven?

• What did Jesus say is the Father’s will? • What are some behaviors and statements of

people who live in fear that Jesus would reject them?

Doing God’s Will

• What promise of security do you see in this passage?

• Jesus said, “I shall lose none of all that he has given me.” How would this help you to feel secure about your past, present, and future life?

Application

• Give it up– Identify something temporary you have been

pursuing as a means of security – a possession, an achievement, etc.

– Stop your pursuit– Repent and ask God to grant you true

contentment in Jesus

Application

• Give thanks– Commit to expressing gratitude this week when

others serve or bless you– Thankfulness is a great way to avoid self-

centeredness and promote satisfaction

Application

• Give it away– Volunteer with a ministry that serves others in

need– While doing so, share the gospel with someone– Use this Scripture passage to help them

understand true satisfaction comes from Jesus Christ

Our Need for Contentment

March 6